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I am attracted to “opposites”. I enjoy wearing classic items as much as sporting hot off the press trends. I like fitted clothing, but I also like voluminous items. I have a big thing for both ladylike styles and tomboy styles. I love my Kate Spade stilettos as much as I love my 20 eyelet Dr. Martens boots. I’m just as happy wearing a romantic, soft lace blouse as I am wearing a stiff, masculine button down shirt. I enjoy sporting a neutral outfit as much as I do wearing hectic colours. I love black as much as I love white. Bring on the patterns and the solids! The retro and the modern.

I realize that I sound like I’m suffering from style schizophrenia, but I believe you CAN integrate opposites into a single cohesive style. In fact, marrying my opposing style preferences is one of my style goals. Here are some of the things I do to make it all work.

Classic Grounding: I mix crisp classic wardrobe items in with the rest. That way the ensemble feels grounded. I also enjoy the style consistency that is created by wearing classic items several times a week. I miss the classics when I omit them from my ensembles.

Simple Statements: I generally choose simple designs that don’t have complex styling details. The cleaner the look and the more simple the cut, the more I like it. This allows the luxurious fabrication and colour to do the talking.

This is making me think about my wardrobe! I love casual clothes but particularly those that work either dressed up or down. I hadn’t thought of that in terms of opposites but I think the term applies. My favorite pieces are classic simple shapes, but I do rely on accessories and footwear to change up the vibe. Interesting post (as usual!).

Smiling at “style schizophrenic”. I would say I am attracted to opposites. Probably in my mind I have thought of this more in terms of contrast? For example, I quite like a structured and tailored trouser with a soft flowy blouse, when previously my fashion logic would have said a crisp button down would be the “right” thing to wear with such pants. I also like a feminine dressy dress with tough flat boots. More recently I have been more open to combining fabrics that I once would not have worn together. The combining of “opposites” can be one of the factors in making an outfit very unique to the wearer. This is something I see myself exploring more in my closet.

Yes, I do. I love ruffled blouses with denim, and ballet flats with dressy dresses. I like very fitted pieces next to very full ones — in fact, fitted-over-fitted is not for me at all. And I have to add – I adore those Docs!!

Although my style itself is pretty well-defined, one of my favorite things is contrast within my outfit. I would even say it is a signature for me. I like high contrast between opposite colors, patterns, textures, shapes, and styles. Soft and hard, tough and romantic, leather and silk. Low contrast, monochromatic, or mono-texture (such as denim on denim) outfits do not work for me at all.

I’m like Diana—high contrast within an outfit is the number one thing I enjoy about fashion. For me it’s mainly about mixing casual and smarter pieces. There’s nothing I love more than wearing my distressed Fryes with a dressy outfit, or making jeans as dressy as I can with a blazer and heels. I love high color contrast, too. I could go on and on and on about contrast, it’s the best thing in the world.

I absolutely love an outfit that has some sort of juxtaposition in it – my personal favourite is when I wear something retro with something modern, or something rugged (like my Doc Marcies) with something feminine (like my floral frock). So yes, I guess I like opposites!

YES! I swing between more structured/classic and softer/artsy/edgy. Unifying themes are simple clean designs, solids and stripes, black and white, and mostly earthier tones when I do add color. I used to think I had wardrobe multiple personality disorder too, but some of your earlier posts helped me to see the unifying themes and reconcile the two personalities. Thanks!

I like opposites, too. They make a look so interesting and unique. I am still very much learning how to do this. The only contrast that comes easily and naturally to me is to wear a smart jacket with jeans. I have had to learn to flip it over and wear a denim jacket with a dressier skirt. (Thank goodness for YLF!) Now I’ve added rugged boots to a pencil skirt, a newsboy cap to a dressy coat, and so on. It’s a wonderful wardrobe expander that I learned from you, Angie. It makes it much easier to dress for the life I lead without losing out on dressier pieces, if you know what I mean. So thank you!

I like opposites, even though I may not be successful at mixing them so far in my own fashion. But I’ve always loved the look of a a pretty, dressy blazer or silk blouse with jeans or like others have mentioned flats with a dressier dress. To me it creates a great balance that just works so well.

Another one attracted by opposites. I enjoy seeing rough and delicate, modern and retro, and other opposite styles mixed in all sorts of ways. I also enjoy wearing masculine styles with polka dots, pussybows and other feminine details. And wearing vintage coats with skinny jeans. And of course there is the built in opposition whenever a woman wears what is traditionally considered men’s clothing. Love it all!

This type of juxtaposition does NOT come naturally to me, but I’m trying to learn because it makes an outfit look so much more interesting. I love seeing you sport outfits with opposite elements Angie; you’re such an inspiration!

Diana, I have never thought of your style as an attraction of opposites. But after your explanation, it makes perfect sense!

Shevia and Shannon, you are both particularly good at mixing up opposites.

I LOVE mixing dressy flats with skirts and dresses. In fact, that is how I wear them most of the time.

Mixing casual with dressy is something I like to do too – but really only with denim these days. I am no longer in love with rugged boots for my own style, although my 20 eyelet Docs will always hold a special place in my heart. They are iconic and part of my style soul.

Yes, can I just say zippers and ruffles? I’ve owned not one, but several items that sport both at the same time. And I like the Grecian flowing vibe just as much as utilitarian military looks with pockets and snap and buckles. Works for me!

I love wearing opposites, and several of my preferences are the same as yours, Angie. In fact, I’ve recently figured out that when I’m dressed all one way or another, I don’t feel as fab. For example, I love classic elements, but if my outfit feels too classic and seems to have nothing to counterbalance that, then I don’t care for the outfit as much. I feel dated, or something feels off about it. Now, figuring out how best to mix opposites…well, that’s where I need to work, and it’s one of my style goals.

I love opposites. I think that makes an outfit interesting. I’m glad we don’t have to stick with the same style all of the time. I can’t seem to define my style, so I don’t know how to explain it, but I do know I like lots of different things.

The only opposites that come to mind that I wear would be mixing dressy and casual, and perhaps feminine and masculine. Well, then I like big over slim with regards to tops and bottoms, but because I think the proportions suit my body type. So I guess I do like opposites, just never really analyzed it before.

Yes, I like opposites. I’m currently keeping an eye out for a sweater with leather buckles for a mix of soft with edgy. How often do I wear style opposites myself? A core outfit formula for me in colder months is a structured blazer with jeans and boots. I like to think the blazer is crisp and the jeans and boots add a relaxed tone. In warmer months I like a relaxed knit top with Bermuda shorts made of a trouser material, the trouser shorts are my structured piece and the knit top is more relaxed in tone. One of my favorite looks is a leather jacket over a flirty dress or a printed t-shirt with a blazer and pumps. I don’t currently sport these two looks but just adore these combinations on others.

I am! I have found recently that I really enjoy mixing dressier items with more casual things. For example, one of my favorite summer uniforms has been to wear dressy linen pants with converse sneakers, printed T, and perhaps a more structure blazer. Love it!!

Am i attracted to opposites? ha! if i wear a look that’s all one thing, i get the heebie-jeebies! I feel you Jamie!

I’ve married cobwebby Victoriana with rugged utilitarian pieces for decades now, with a dash of avant-garde Japanese thrown in. Like you, Angie, i practice very strict color discipline and rely heavily on neutrals. I keep the light/dark range fairly low contrast, and don’t go overboard with texture variety. I make a lot of my own clothing, so that tends to tie things together, and wear almost exclusively natural fibers.

For anyone interested in combining opposites, it takes a while of experimenting until you find the best ways for you to marry your fave opposites. It’s part of what makes your own style truly you!

We had an interesting forum thread on this a while back. Una was having trouble finding individual items that she felt reflected her true style. This can be especially hard for those of us with quirkier, more eccentric style profiles We ended up focusing on the idea that you always wear clothing in outfits, not piece by piece. So you need to create outfits that reflect your personal style. The individual pieces used to create the look might not shout “Una!”, but together they do.

When i tumbled to that concept i know my life got a lot easier. whew! This article explains the concept very well, with very useful pointers on the ‘how to’ side as well. Thank you Angie!!!!

Yes! My favorite! I sometimes think about it as a trendy thing. As in, I wonder when it came into vogue to mix opposites, and when (if?) it will seem dated. Interesting to think about individual preferences like this being part of a larger trend grounded in particular time period and place….I think about it in relation to the post-modern movement in other areas (humanities, social sciences, art, music), which is all about contrast, mixing things up, pairing the unexpected. Okay, maybe now I need to get to work today :). Enough fashion musings!

Am I attracted to opposites? BIG TIME. Like I always say, everything in life is about balance. Clothes are no exception. You’ve got to balance the hard with the soft, the strict with the relaxed, the arty with the classic. Too much of one thing and I end up looking like I’m wearing a costume.

Oh yes! Bring on the opposites. And when they can be combined in a single outfit, so much the better. A man’s hat or shirt, combined with dangly earrings or an ultra-feminine scarf, is something I do on occasion. And I would hate to be locked into a single look. Variety, after all, is the spice of life.

After examining the evidence – a style persona that combines warrior and princess elements, plus a rubric that combines bright and dark – I’m pretty sure I do like opposites! I also like contrast of masculine items and my hair/legs, which feel feminine to me.

Hmm. Have to think about this. I like opposing things. I’m not sure if I like wearing opposing things at the same time anymore. Although, certainly, I’m not a historical preservationist. I think what I like are classic pieces with modern ornamentation or vice versa. Like a ladylike blouse in a digital print.

I too love the opposites of style. I like a little dressy with something casual, and a “tough” piece with something girly/softer. I try to incorporate this in my wardrobe I think it makes things alittle more interesting! Great post! Had not hought of it like that before,

I love opposites in dressing. It creates a playful element of surprise. Dressy with casual, dressy with sporty, feminine with masculine, and of course opposites in textures. Leather with soft wool comes to mind, but it goes much further. Jeans with silk, tweed with silk, tweed with soft cotton, wool with lace, heavy with light etc.

I agree, working with opposite is an art. More specifically, you have to learn to make it work for your body. For example, I love the look of dresses worn with shoes (masculine/feminine opposition) but my legs are too shapely and too short for the “masculine” effect. It just looks like I have the wrong shoes with the wrong garment, and every time I have tried it, I was never satisfied. I look like a poor child during the Great Depression, and that’s not quite the masculine/feminine opposition I was going for.

However with my very short hair, as soon as I put an Oxford shirt on, there is a “boyish” effect which I can exploit. I then wear eye makeup, or a fun hat, to emphasise the contrast.

I think “style schizophrenic” describes me pretty accurately!
I do love an element of surprise in an outfit and I guess it often comes from combinig the opposits, right? However I also feel that my next day outfit can be a complete opposite from the day before and it makes it fun for me. Although I still cannot pinpoint my style and this may be the reason why…

Swing coats and sweaters with leggings and straight leg pants. Form fitting tops with wide leg/ palazzo pants. Earring/no necklace OR necklace/no earrings. Column of color to maintain silhouette and a scarf or wrap is frequently added for interest.

The attraction of fashion opposites creates energy, interest and excitement and I love this in dressing. I need to work on my color discipline and admire your discipline in that area. A nice jacket with jeans, a denim jacket over a dress (as you showed when I first discovered YLF with a post of your trip to Las Vegas)…these are the attraction of opposites I really enjoy.

I don’t think this comes naturally to me but I do think it is one thing I enjoy learning here from YLF and Angie. It is very tricky to get it right when one has to consider ones body shape and other personal attributes but I love the effect when it comes together.

I absolutely love the combos Angie comes up with. That’s what drew me to the YLF site in the first place. However, I have the same problem as Sylvie. I can’t seem to put things together in a way that looks right. I guess that’s why I’m always at this forum looking at what everybody else is doing. I need to get ideas from somewhere. My DDs tell me I was a very creative piano teacher. Too bad I’m not creative in other ways, such as fashion. I’d like to be, but can’t seem to pull it off without outside help and advice.

Wearing refined footwear with beat up boyfriend jeans comes to mind, along with the crisp white shirt and blazer going with denim. Jonesy is right, this feels very on-trend right now.

What I learned today is that it is easier to pull off contrasts if you reduce some of the variables, like the number of colors. For example, an outfit with numerous textures works when it’s all one color.

Oh absolutely an opposite kinda gal…feminine and masculine in evey outfit…if I don’t have both I feel unbalanced

but i feel I need also some edge to my outfit, some surprise element that might be color or zippers or a hidden bit of leopard. This is in contrast to a rather conservative style, even preppy. so I think it is a contrast also, but less significant!

I love opposites. I like class with ethnic; masculine with feminine; patterned with bold; soft with hard edges. I love your tips for how to make that work Angie – I have been doing so instictively so far and will pay more conscious attention going forward.

Totally, far the most interesting way to dress. However, I hope I am carrying it off, rather than looking like a faux pas. I guess that color is unifying. I am partial to grey or taupe bases, with a spot of two of color and something with a sheen.

Oh Angie you’re a genius!! You’ve solved a nagging problem for me, and you didn’t even know it With all the warm weather we’ve been having, I’ve been feeling a bit off my game even though I love dressing for hot weather. After reading your post this morning, it suddenly dawned on me that the reason for that is because all of my actual summer clothing is of the same style and dressiness; I can’t do the juxtapositions that I usually aim for in my outfits as easily, though now that I know what the problem is I can “fix” it. It’s awesome to finally realize what’s been throwing me off (thank youuuu), and even better that I have some holes identified so I can be very focused next year when adding the few summer pieces that get added.

So uh in answer to your question, that would be a big fat YES! I consider juxtaposition and contrast key cornerstones of my style, whether that manifests as style, color, texture, hardness, vibe, etc., often with more than one contrast/opposite in an outfit. And apparently it makes me feel less like me when I’m not incorporating as much of it, heh. Like you, I will ground these things against classics, especially if said classic item also has an unexpected element (like a printed pencil skirt, or brightly colored blazer). I also go for clean lines, and while on most days I do wear minimal jewelry I equally enjoy wearing statement earrings and necklaces. And I definitely don’t have as much color cohesion as you do but that works well for me. (Who was it that said they’re an equal opportunity color wearer? Sounds like something Mary would say, and I agree!)

Since I also work at marrying some seriously opposite styles, I think my style contrasts are more evident across, say, a week of outfits: some days will be 70s, some days a mix of 70s/80s, some days classic, some days modern and punky, etc. The other primary way I use opposites is by mixing levels of dressiness, especially with denim as I am still wearing jeans more days than not. Unfortunately, when I wear too many different styles/levels of dressiness in one outfit I get serious stink eye from my husband; even though my natural inclination is usually to mix things up as much as possible OR match as much as possible, I do find that I try to tone it down a bit so I don’t get the “You look weird” comment from hubby especially on the weekend or on date nights.

I think opposites make an outfit interesting. So I almost always do a femmy, blingy necklace with a tee and jeans, plus booties. Or booties with a dress. Or a silk blouse with a wristful of casual bracelets and skinny jeans. You get the idea.

Saturated, warm, sour brights, Angie? I can see that in your choices now that you have said it, but I never would have been able to name this “color family” myself. This really has me thinking about my own color discipline. I would love to determine a broad label like yours to help govern my color choices. Not including neutrals, some of the colors I love are… greeny blues, deep pinks, peachy oranges, red, and royal purple… It seems to me a unified color palette would really add polish to my wardrobe. Do my typical choices even fit with one another? How would you define them as a group?

I am attracted to exactly the same opposites as you are describing above, Angie. And use the same techniques to make it work. So I’ve nothing new to add, I’m afraid, this comment is just my way of *nodding enthusiastically*:-)
Also: I love that you used these two items pics to illustrate the opposites, very strong image!

My favorite opposites are casual and couture. I’m slowly getting reconciled to classics. Partly from admiring them on Angie, who never looks boring :-). Partly because I’m a minimalist at heart, and don’t like to wear more than one really weird piece. Classics definitely make for a better background.